May 21, 1955 The Dinner Meeting, The Supper in the Dorm, The Picnic for 920 and The Norwegian Pastry

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We went to a dinner meeting of a club B belongs to last night so our letter writing didn't get done on time.  The man who gave the program has been in a book store for 40 years and collects children's books.  He has books in all languages and had a lot of them to show after his talk.  Of course, it was interesting to me.  I should hear about my manuscript in the next two weeks.

Wednesday night we went to the girls' dormitory for supper.  There were a lot of faculty people there but there was only one faculty person to each table so we could get better acquainted with the students.  It was very nice.

Sorensen's new house is going up fast.  They have sold their other one and will move the first.  Their new one won't be done till fall so they are going into a little furnished place for the summer.  You may remember that Woody's brother has cancer and was expecting to die.  He has taken radium and gold treatments anyway as a long shot chance and the cancer has been arrested.  He is working again and the doctors expect him to live out his normal lifetime.

Thanks for the nice package.  Bob's dollar disappeared into his bank.  I think I can get Ann a dress out of the material.  It is real nice and will be so easy to keep washed.  We have applied for Ann's admission to summer kindergarten but the application was late so there is just a chance of her getting to go.  Someone will have to drop out.

 

You made a mistake I guess when you wrote to Ann.  She thinks it is about time you wrote her another letter.  Just put a little note in with our letter.  That will satisfy her.

Last week was a full one.  Monday was a busy day.  I went to the dentist and had 2 fillings.  Then I dressed up and went to a coffee.  Some of our friends have a party on the same date every year.  It is a Norwegian holiday and she makes all the pastries she serves with coffee.

Monday night was the big picnic for school children and parents of our school.  There were 920 there so it was some picnic.

In the meantime I've been sewing on a dress.  It is a simple pattern and if I'd stay at it long enough I'll soon get it finished.  B and I have to be a host & hostess for the senior tea which is coming up soon.  I want it for that.

I must wash my breakfast dishes so bye for now."

                   Lots of love,

                         Bonnie

NOTE:  Both of our parents were always writing something--Dad, for work, Mom, for pleasure and the hope of publishing something.  She wrote and bound an amusing and delightful book in 1936, and I will post it in a couple of weeks.   I can't remember a time when the family typewriter wasn't busy. 

Bonnie's Favorite Norwegian Butter Cookies

Cream 1 cup of butter with 1/2 cup of sugar.  Press 4 hard-boiled egg yolks through a fine sieve and mix into butter and sugar.  Add 1/2 t lemon zest and 1/2 t vanilla.  Gently knead in 2 c of flour.  Pipe dough into small pretzel-like shapes onto baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.  Cool completely before removing from baking sheet. 

Bonnie's Apricot Breakfast Pastry ("Walk-aways")

Soften 1 package yeast in 1/4 c warm water.  Mix 2 c flour and 1/8 t salt.  Cut in 3/4 c cold butter till crumbly.  Add yeast mixture & 1 large egg, beaten.  Mix till smooth & divide in 2 parts.  Roll each to 13x9 rectangle.  Spread over these a mixture of 3 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 c sugar and 1/2 c apricot preserves.  Roll like jelly roll.  Put on lightly buttered cookie sheet--seam side down.  Seal ends.  Cut lengthwise half way thru each roll.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 min. till golden.  Cut slices on the diagonal to serve.